CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) is a vitamin-like compound also called ubiquinone. It is an
essential component of cells and is utilized by the mitochondria in the normal
process of energy production. It helps convert food into energy at a cellular
level.
Coenzyme Q10 acts as an antioxidant, much like vitamins C and E, helping
to neutralize the cell-damaging molecules known as free radicals. CoQ10 is one
in a series of ubiquinones, naturally occurring compounds produced in nearly
every cell of the body, and was discovered as recently as 1957.
The primary function of CoQ10 is as a catalyst for metabolism. Acting in
conjunction with enzymes, the compound speeds up the vital metabolic process,
providing the energy that the cells need to digest food, heal wounds, maintain
healthy muscles, and perform other bodily functions. It is especially abundant
in the energy-intensive cells of the heart, helping this organ beat more than
100,000 times each day.
CoQ10 may play a role in preventing cancer, heart attacks, and other diseases
linked to free-radical damage. It's also used as a general energy enhancer and
anti-aging supplement. Because levels of the compound diminish with age (and
with certain diseases), some doctors recommend daily supplementation beginning
about age 40. CoQ10 has generated much excitement as a possible therapy for
heart disease, especially congestive heart failure or a weakened heart.
In some studies, patients with a poorly functioning heart have been found to
improve greatly after adding the supplement to their conventional drugs and
therapies. [35, 36] Other studies have shown that people with cardiovascular
disease have low levels of this substance in their heart. [38,39,40].
Further research suggest that CoQ10 may protect against blood clots, lower high
blood pressure, diminish irregular heartbeats, treat mitral valve prolapse,
lessen symptoms of Raynaud's disease and relieve chest pains (angina). [40, 41,
42]
CoQ10 also appears to aid healing and reduce pain and bleeding in those with gum
disease, and speed recovery following oral surgery. [43] CoQ10 shows some
promise against Parkinson's [44] and Alzheimer's Diseases [45] and fibromyalgia.
[46].
For daily supplementation, the dosage range is from 30 - 100 mg, with the most
common dosage at 30 mg. It takes up to eight weeks to see results with CoQ10.
INTERACTIONS:Certain medications may have beneficial or harmful interactions
with coenzyme Q10:
- Atorvastatin (Depletion or interference)
- Doxorubicin (Side effect reduction/prevention)
- Fluvastatin (Depletion or interference)
- Gemfibrozil (Depletion or interference)
- Lovastatin (Depletion or interference)
- Perphenazine (Side effect reduction/prevention)
- Pravastatin (Depletion or interference)
- Propranolol (Depletion or interference)
- Simvastatin (Depletion or interference)
-Thioridazine (Side effect reduction/prevention)
- Timolol (Side effect reduction/prevention)
- Tricyclic Antidepressants (Depletion or interference)
- Warfarin (Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability)
The use of Warfarin and coenzyme Q-10 together increases your risk of excessive
bleeding. Coenzyme Q-10 may reduce the effectiveness of some chemotherapy. Some
drugs, such as those used to lower cholesterol (lovastatin, pravastatin,
simvastatin), blood sugar (glyburide, tolazamide) and blood pressure (beta
blockers such as Inderal, Lopressor), can alter coenzyme Q-10's effectiveness.
Also, people with diabetes should be aware that coenzyme Q-10 may decrease their
need for insulin.
There are two kinds of CoQ10, one is body ready while the other must be converted before the body can use it properly.
The body ready CoQ10 is white in color and is generally more expensive to purchase, however the most important factor in determining which type to use depends upon your age. The older you get, the more difficult it becomes to convert the CoQ10 into the "usable" form.
People under 40 can use the cheaper, orangish colored CoQ10..
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Let Food Be Your Medicine And Medicine Be Your Food.(Hippocrates)
I started taking this and reservatrol supplements to enhance my workouts because I cannot handle caffeine and wowww what a difference it really makes. I have a lot more energy I don't get fatigued and I can push myself harder effortlessly. I noticed a big difference almost immediately.
True, I don't just take off on a tangent. Dr Brownstien, Dr Donald Miller, Mark Sisson, Chris Kresser and Byron Richardson are just a few of my go-to guys when it comes to health and nutrition.
Meat, fish, nuts, and some oils are the richest nutritional sources, while much lower levels can be found in most dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and cereals. Large variations of CoQ10 content in some foods and food products of different geographical origin have been found. The average dietary intake is only 3-6 mg a day. Coq10 is not a vitamin but a nutrient. It is naturally made in the body. Technically, a vitamin is a substance that the body cannot synthesize or cannot synthesize enough to maintain health and physiological functioning.
Dosage for short term use and long term use
CoQ10 is available in a variety of dosages ranging from 10 mg to 300 mg per capsule.I personally believe that high doses are not needed, and may even be unhelpful or detrimental. I would not feel comfortable recommending to my patients to take more than 50 mg, or maximum 100 mg, a day, for long term use unless as a necessary treatment of a medical condition.For short term use one can take up to 300 mg a day for a few days. More is not necessarily better when it comes to certain supplements. Plus, many people who take it also take other supplements and we don't know what kind of interactions would occur with other herbs, nutrients, and prescription medications. These pills do not have to specifically be taken with oil, taking it with breakfast is a good option.
Prolonged intake of coenzyme Q10 impairs cognitive functions in mice.
Mice were fed a diet containing low dosage or high dosage CoQ10 starting at 4 months of age. This did not affect survivorship of mice through 25 months of age. Prolonged intake in low amounts had no discernable impact on cognitive and motor functions whereas intake at higher amounts exacerbated cognitive and sensory impairments. J Nutrition 2009; Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Institute for Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Research, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
Well, I used to think it was expensive, but not at the doses Dr Sahelian reccomends.
Do the two types have names that can be used to sort the two apart?
Yikes! That article said
Quote:
Prolonged intake of coenzyme Q10 impairs cognitive functions in mice.
That's not good. Also, CoQ10 thins the blood. So watch for that, if you are taking other substances that do the same thing,. like nattokinase or serrapeptase or omega3 supplements.
The difference of the two varieties will be in the labeling. There is CoQ10 and Ubiquinol. Your body needs to convert CoQ10 to ubiquinol for it to be useful. Same kind of thing with D2 and D3. One is inactive and the other is active. Ubiquinol is more expensive.
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- Jim
�Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.� Sir Winston Churchill
Prolonged intake in low amounts had no discernable impact on cognitive and motor functions whereas intake at higher amounts exacerbated cognitive and sensory impairments. J Nutrition 2009; Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Institute for Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Research, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
Additionally
Quote:
Absorption Serum coenzyme Q10 concentrations in healthy men supplemented with 30 mg or 100 mg coQ10 for two months in a randomized controlled study.
Biofactors. 2003.
Serum CoQ10 concentrations were evaluated in healthy male volunteers supplemented with 30 mg or 100 mg CoQ10 or placebo as a single daily dose for two months. Median baseline serum CoQ10 concentration in 99 men was 1.2 mg/l. Supplementation with 30 mg or 100 mg resulted in median increases in serum concentration of 0.55 mg/l and 1.3 mg/l, respectively, compared with a median decrease of 0.2 mg/l with placebo. The change in serum CoQ10 concentration did not depend on baseline serum CoQ10 concentration, age, or body weight.
Is CoQ10 available in liquid form? Does it offer any additional benefit in liquid as opposed to capsules or softgels?
Yes, some companies do sell it in liquid form. I don't see any reason to take CoQ10 liquid unless a person has difficulty swallowing pills. Plus, the liquid form is more expensive and could be less stable in terms of storage. Does the effectiveness matter if it is taken in capsule form or if emulsified in an oil like alpha tocopherol. I read an advertising leaflet that said not to waste money on CoQ10 tablets or capsules, because they cannot be absorbed into blood stream. There are probably differences in absorption between different CoQ10 products, and perhaps oil emulsified products are better absorbed, however, most supplements contain 30, 60 or 100 mg which are dosages far greater than normally needed by the body. Hence, even if 100 percent of the CoQ10 is not absorbed, practically speaking it should not make too much difference.
I�ve read conflicting articles regarding the amount of CoQ10 absorbed from the intestines depending on its form.
Studies of its effectiveness have been confusing due to the variable bioavailability of numerous preparations. Researchers at the Alfred Hospital and Baker Medical Research Institute, in Melbourne, Australia evaluated two different preparations: a soybean oil-based preparation and a complex micelle emulsion. Twelve healthy individuals received 300 mg daily of either preparation for 7 days in a double-blind cross-over design. Both preparations induced significant increases in serum levels and there was were no differences between CoQ10 levels for the two preparations at either time point. Since most people take a large dose of coQ10, such as 60 or 100 mg, even if one preparation were not absorbed as well, there should still be plenty to be helpful.
CoQ10 Information
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